Chapter 1 Functional roles of lipids in membranes

Abstract

Publisher Summary A primary role of lipids in cellular function is in the formation of the permeability barrier of cells and subcellular organelles in the form of a lipid bilayer. This chapter outlines the diversity in structure, chemical properties, and physical properties of lipids, presents various genetic approaches available for studying lipid function in vivo , and describes how the physical and chemical properties of lipids relate to their multiple functions in living systems. The roles lipids play in cellular processes is as diverse as the chemical structures of lipids found throughout nature. Although a single phospholipid can form a sealed bilayer vesicle in solution, a diversity of lipid structure and physical properties is necessary for filling the broad range of roles that lipids play in cells. The diverse functions of lipids are made possible by a family of low molecular weight molecules that are physically fluid and deformable to enable interaction in a flexible and specific manner with macromolecules. The interest in understanding the biodiversity of lipids through a detailed characterization of a vast number of microorganisms will yield additional novel lipids that must be characterized structurally and functionally.